1717-1720 French New World Coinage in Canada and the U.S.
No French coinage was minted for exclusive use in Canada (Quebec and Newfoundland) or in the United States (Louisiana, Mississippi) or in the French West Indies in the Caribbean. But several new coins were struck to be used in all of the “New World.”
King Louis XV decreed a Royal Edict of March 9, 1717, that demanded that copper 6 and 12 Denier denominations were to be struck at the mint at Perpignan, in southwestern France, near the Spanish border. These coins were to be legal tender in Canada, and 3,000,000 6 Denier coins and 1,500,000 12 Denier coins were authorized. However, the copper was of such poor quality and contained so much brass in the mix that the project had to be scrapped. A few test pieces, however, have survived the smelter.
Later in 1720, the second attempt also failed. However, coinage dated 1720 did succeed and was struck at multiple mints in France. A total of four different denominations bearing the 1720 date were struck. A Liard (3 Deniers in Value) was struck, as was a 6 Deniers, and a 12 Deniers coin – all in copper. A 20 sols Silver coin was also struck. All of these coins were struck for use in all regions of the New World.
The 1720 Liard is a value of 3 Deniers. The obverse has a bust of King Louis XV, facing right. The reverse has a Shield in the center, with three Fleurs-de-lis in the center and a crown above.
A 6 Deniers coin was also struck in copper. Several hundred thousand coins were minted. The obverse has a bust of King Louis XV, and the Latin phrase for “Louis, XVth, by the Grace of God.”. The common reverse is a shield with three Fleurs-de-lis inside a central shield, with a crown atop the shield.
A 1720-A 12 Deniers (1 Sol) coin was also struck in copper. The designs of these copper coins are the same from 3 Deniers to 12 Deniers. The denominations are not inscribed on these early coins but are determined by the size of the actual coin.
A 1720-A 20 Sols coin was struck in Silver. It is small in size and has a different reverse from the copper Deniers coins.
Many of these 1720-dated French coins were used to fund the John Law “Mississippi Bubble” financial Ponzi scheme that exploded and nearly ruined the French government and the French economy at that time.
| Date | Type | Mintage | Fine Value | XF Value |
| 1717-Q | 6 Deniers | 1-8 Known | Priceless | Priceless |
| 1717-Q | 12 Deniers | 1-8 Known | Priceless | Priceless |
| 1720 | Liard (3 Deniers) | Est. 400,000 | $400 | $950 |
| 1720 | 6 Deniers | Est. 200,000 | $600 | $1,850 |
| 1720 | 12 Deniers | Est. 100,000 | $450 | $1,600 |
| 1720 | 20 Sols Silver | Est. 100,000 | $425 | $1,650 |
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